Bay hit by late surge

BAY TRYSCORER: Poverty Bay second five-eighth Matt Raleigh (with ball) takes on the Wairarapa Bush defence. Raleigh came off the bench in Saturday’s 40-11 loss to South Canterbury and scored a five-pointer. Picture by Paul Rickard

Poverty Bay’s reign at the top of rugby’s Heartland Championship was short-lived, after they lost 40-11 to South Canterbury in Timaru.

After their thrilling 27-22 win against Wairarapa Bush in the opening week, the Bay held the South Islanders for 65 minutes before the home side piled on the points.

“It was something like the desperation we showed at home last week — wanting a win in front of the home crowd,” Bay coach Mana Otai said.

“I think the score was 11-6 around the 65-minute mark.

“We conceded a couple of soft tries out wide and they (South Canterbury) got their tails up, then the score inflated.

“That was disappointing after the effort the boys put in and we looked as if we could get a point from the game.”

The Bay’s points came from first five-eighth Ethine Reeves in the seventh and 48th minutes and a try to replacement second five-eighth Matt Raleigh with eight minutes remaining.

Raleigh replaced Mapa Tuipulotu after 51 minutes.

Otai and assistant coach Dwayne Russell must lift the side for another tough match on Saturday, when they host defending champions Wanganui, who made it two wins from two when they beat West Coast.

“We have to give them (Wanganui) respect but we’re at home and I know the boys will want to put on a good performance.

“Apart from a few sore bodies, we came through Saturday with no major injury concerns.”

Blindside flanker Fawn White (injured) and first five-eighth Kelvin Smith (unavailable) missed the defeat, but should be available for selection for the Wanganui game.

King Country, who thumped Ngati Porou East Coast 75-17 last week, continued to set the pace, beating Buller 30-28.

King Country top the table with 10 points, followed by Wanganui and North Otago, both on nine. Poverty Bay have slipped to joint eighth.

South Canterbury 40 (Shayne Anderson 2, Setefano Sauqaqa, Kalavini Leatigaga, Zac Saunders, Nick Strachan tries; Daniel Dorgan 5 con).

Poverty Bay 11 (Matt Raleigh try; Ethine Reeves 2 pen)

Second week results: West Coast 21 Wanganui 33, Buller 28 King Country 30, Wairarapa Bush 32 Thames Valley 44, Mid Canterbury 33 North Otago 34, Ngati Porou East Coast 8 Horowhenua Kapiti 46.